Speaking with MLB Network Radio on Friday afternoon, Toronto Blue Jays skipper John Schneider gave an optimistic update on designated hitter George Springer, who has been out with a fractured left big toe.

Schneider said that he hoped that Springer would only be out a few more days, but then he amended his statement to "maybe even just a day or two."

He did say that Springer will likely be uncomfortable for a few weeks as his toe heals up, but that once he's ready to play, they are going to activate him.

Furthermore, Schneider indicated that running around the bases is going to be the biggest test for him, which makes sense given the pressure put on the big toe when cutting the corners.

A 13-year veteran of the Houston Astros and Blue Jays, Springer is a four-time All-Star who is known for his clutch playoff performances. He won the 2017 World Series with the Astros, earning the World Series MVP, and he sent the Blue Jays to the World Series in 2025 with a late game-winning home run against the Seattle Mariners.

A career .266 hitter, he has 295 home runs and 802 RBIs. He hit a career-high 39 homers for Houston in 2019.

He signed a six-year deal with the Blue Jays before the 2021 season and that deal expires after this season. It's unclear what his future looks like at the age of 36. He'll be 37 before the start of the 2027 season, which is also up in the air because of likely labor issues.

He's hitting just .189 in limited action so far, but he does have two home runs. He is a three-time Silver Slugger.

Springer is just one of many Blue Jays players on the injured list so far this season. Shane Bieber, Trey Yesavage and Jose Berrios have yet to pitch, while Cody Ponce is out for the year with a torn ACL. Reliever Yimi Garcia is also on the shelf and offensively, the Jays are without Addison Barger, Alejandro Kirk and Anthony Santander, who might miss the entire campaign. 

The Jays will start a new series on Friday night with the Cleveland Guardians, who boast a very solid pitching staff. Right-hander Gavin Williams pitch in game one of the series while Max Scherzer goes for the Jays.

Williams is 3-1 with a 3.12 ERA, striking out 40, while Scherzer is 1-2 with a 7.16.

Scherzer enters the game with 3,499 career strikeouts, meaning he is just one away from becoming the 11th member of the 3,500 strikeout club.

The other 10? Nolan Ryan, Randy Johnson, Roger Clemens, Steve Carlton, Bert Blyleven, Tom Seaver, Don Sutton, Justin Verlander, Gaylor Perry and Walker Johnson.

First pitch is 7:07 p.m. ET.

Remember to join our BLUE JAYS on ROUNDTABLE community, which is FREE! You can post your own thoughts, in text or video form, and you can engage with our Roundtable staff, as well as other Blue Jays fans. If prompted to download the Roundtable APP, that's free too!